JACKSON, CAPE BANQUETS TO HONOR EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce will honor five educators at its 2000 Educators of the Year award banquet May 4, while the Jackson Chamber of Commerce will honor four educators as the 1999 Educators of the Year at a banquet at 7 tonight at the Route 25 Banquet Hall.

The Cape Girardeau chamber annually honors educators from Cape Girardeau public, private, parochial or business schools. This is the eighth year the awards have been given.

Individuals or groups nominate outstanding educators for the honor. Winners are selected based on their educational history, community and family involvement, philosophy of teaching and their results as teachers and administrators.

Full-time teachers or administrators are selected as top educators in elementary, secondary and administrative categories by the chamber's Education Committee. A fourth category, post-secondary, also is selected by the chamber's University Committee.

"We have an excellent response every year," said Denise Stewart, education committee chairperson. "Competition is always fierce. It's a wonderful process."

Stewart said there is a growing respect for education and those who share knowledge in classrooms. With programs such as Educators of the Year, the community has a chance to show their respect for educators.

"I just feel that our community is recognizing the importance of good educators and what they are doing for our children," she said. "It's a real positive trend."

Each Cape Girardeau educator will receive a crystal apple and $500 check during the banquet, which begins at 6:30 p.m. May 4 at the Drury Lodge. Cost for the dinner is $15.

Cape Girardeau educators

Jacqueline Brandtner, a teacher at Deer Creek Christian Academy, is the only recipient from a private school. She has taught 19 years, the last three in a multiage classroom.

Brandtner began teaching while living in Germany. After volunteering to teach English to friends, she discovered a love for teaching.

"Teaching someone to read is magic, regardless of the age of the student," she said.

Kindergarten teacher Barbara Egbert also is being honored by the chamber. She has taught four of her 16 years at Franklin Elementary School.

"My greatest reward lies in the accomplishments of my students," she said. "Each day I have the privilege of watching tomorrow's leaders grow and mature, while at the same time, former students graduate from high school and college and go on to become successful adults."

Gail Fairbanks, a 22-year teaching veteran, is the third recipient. She has taught children with behavioral disorders for the past 10 years, most recently at Blanchard Elementary School.

"My charge is to take these children, sometimes neglected, unwanted, unloved, chaotic, frightened, abused, with hearts aching, and not only teach their needed academic skills but attempt to transform them into caring, productive, trusting members of society," she said.

English and history teacher Bill Springer also will be honored. Springer, a teacher at Cape Girardeau Central High School for the past 10 years, has 31 years of experience. Although he has explored other professions, teaching is by far his favorite.

"I have a passion for learning and teaching -- in that order," Springer said. "Learn, and then teach. Help others learn, and encourage them to teach."

Dr. Charles Wiles of Southeast Missouri State university is the University Educator of the Year. Wiles has taught marketing classes at Southeast throughout his 30-year career.

Wiles said he is committed to giving students experiences that will help them in their careers. He often helps students obtain internships and incorporates "real-world" activities in his classes.

Stewart said the recipients represent a good variety and demonstrate the excellence Cape Girardeau students encounter in public or private schools.

"I see our community and feelings toward educators growing in a very positive way," she said. "These are the people who educate our children, so what better way to pay tribute to them than to honor them for their work?"

Jackson educators

Each year the Jackson chamber selects three teachers and an administrator to honor in the Educator of the Year program. Educators from Jackson School District, Immaculate Conception and St. Paul schools were eligible for the award.

Winners were selected through a competitive process. Each had to be nominated and then interviewed by a panel of three judges who selected the winners.

This year's winners all work in Jackson public schools. Each will receive a crystal apple, cash prize and a free hotel stay.

Denise McDowell is the kindergarten through-fifth-grade honoree. She is an 11-year teaching veteran and currently teaches second grade at North Elementary School. She is involved in Jackson Community Teacher Association and the YES Program. She and her husband, Tom, have four school-aged children.

Jackson Middle School science teacher Dee Walker is the honoree in the sixth-through-ninth- grade division. She has taught 16 of her 20 years in Jackson schools. She is a successful grant writer and holds memberships in the Missouri State Teachers Association and Jackson CTA.

Ed Sebaugh is the honoree for the 10th-through-12th-grade category. Sebaugh is the veteran educator among the winners, with 37 of his 40 years of teaching experience completed in Jackson schools. He currently teaches science and is active in MSTA and CTA. He also serves as Student Council adviser.

Norman "Buzz" Thompson has been an educator for 21 years. After teaching for 18 years, he became a principal three years ago and is the winner in the administrator category. He currently is principal at South Elementary School. He has been active in girls softball, Girls Optimist Basketball, T-ball, soccer and Cub Scouts. He is president of the Adult-Youth Bowling League.

"It's just very important to recognize the educators for their work," said Ken Parrett, chamber executive director. "They don't do it for pay; they do it for the sense of commitment."

Education committee member Coleen Mouser said the honorees are a reflection of the educational system in Jackson.

"People are moving to Jackson because of our school system," she said. "Our school system wouldn't be so good if we didn't have good teachers."